Container parks up in arms over ‘no stopping’ signs

AN ARBITRARY decision by the Durban Metro Police to put “No Stopping” signs in the Bayhead roads leading to a number of major container parks near the harbour could put the brakes on the companies’ traffic flows. The management of one depot immediately e-mailed a protest to the Durban harbour carriers’ association (DHCA) section of the SA Association of Freight Forwarders (Saaff) complaining that this could seriously hinder business. The siting of these signs, it added, was “beyond its control” and it “could not be held responsible for any fines received by transporters” to its depot. “Many of the trucking companies,” it added, “send up-to 30 trucks at a given time, and these queue up outside the depot. It insisted that it was doing its utmost to service these trucks, and there were no delays in loading of units. The DHCA agreed that the companies’ legitimate business rights could be adversely affected – suggesting that they take this up as a matter of urgency with their landlords, and/or bring an urgent application in the high court to have these signs removed. The association also insisted that these “No Stopping” signs were not part of recent talks between the DHCA, the Metro Police and the Durban container terminal (DCT). “We have been in discussions about trucks parking on harbour-side roadways with no just reason other than plain parking,” said association vice-chairman, Kevin Martin, MD of Freightliner. “These are vehicles which have no business with the companies in the area. “A perfect example is those trucks that stop opposite the dry-docks on the ingoing road to DCT for no other valid reason other than maybe awaiting instructions or documents.” At the last meeting between the three parties it was agreed that “No Stopping” signs would be erected in this area and along the outgoing lane from the DCT in Langeberg Road. “But,” Martin added. “at NO stage would we support such signs going up outside legitimate working depots – where trucks are only there to undertake a job of work that requires them to be in that area.” He also suggested that “No Parking” signs would be the viable alternative answer to the problem. “However,” Martin told FTW, “these “No Stopping” signs would only lead to transport refusing to go to the affected depots due to the risk of being issued a ticket.” And being hit with traffic fines under the new demerit system (coming into being shortly) would be a risk that road transport companies just could not afford to run.